2016 NHL offseason outlook: Calgary Flames

Offseason Questions

The Flames still have to find a new head coach after firing Bob Hartley. Hartley won the 2014-15 Jack Adams Award for the best head coach in the NHL. Perhaps it should have gone to somebody else? Before Calgary makes any offseason decisions, they’ll have to find a head coach. Preferably one who can take advantage of Calgary’s skilled players. The Flames had horrible zone exits under Hartley.

How long will Gaudreau and Monahan be around? Hopefully for Calgary, the answer to that question will be at least five more years. Signing those two has to be done quickly so that Calgary knows how much cap space they have to fix their other issues.

Who will start in goal next season? The trade market has some interesting options. Anaheim will most likely trade either John Gibson or Frederik Andersen. However, do the Ducks want to trade a solid goaltender to a division rival? Probably not.

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Another goalie who they could trade for is Marc-Andre Fleury, who has been rendered a backup by Matt Murray. Fleury might have injury issues, but when he’s healthy, he’s still a very solid goaltender. The Flames likely wouldn’t have to give up much and Fleury would buy Calgary a few years to find their long-term solution.

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